Projects could add nearly 850 homes

VERMILION — Three separate residential projects all aim to bring additional housing options throughout the city of Vermilion. Right now, city officials are reviewing plans that could eventually add up to 850 homes across the community. The project includes roughly: • 670 homes in the Vermilion Landing development off Sunnyside Road • 120 homes proposed by Frontier Land Group near the Valleyview area • 60 homes proposed near Douglas Street Collectively, officials believe these homes could welcome 1,800 people. It's expected, no matter the location, each home would cost at least $300,000. These projects; however, likely remain several years away from completion. They each also find themselves in different stages of the city's approval process. None of the homes within these proposals are under construction and wouldn't break ground until mid-2027 at the earliest. Here's a look at each project: Vermilion Landing The largest potential development is Vermilion Landing, a DBR Commercial Realty project planned for about 300 acres near Sunnyside Road. Two Vermilion residents previously filed a petition to halt the city's development plans. The petition gathered 880 signatures, more than twice the required number to go to the ballot. But after the developer protested that the petition was legally flawed — citing its failure to include a "true and exact" copy of the city council's approved rezoning ordinance — the Lorain County Board of Elections removed it from consideration. Following this setback, a local advocacy group, Concerned Vermilion Citizens, spearheaded a successful city charter amendment in November 2025, requiring voter approval for any future tax increment financing agreements. In response, the city filed a lawsuit to block the amendment, arguing it gave residents undue control over school district funding beyond city limits. In April 2026, a common pleas court judge declared the amendment unconstitutional. With these legal challenges resolved, the city has resumed work on the development, including infrastructure upgrades to support the project. Developers did receive approval for a sewer plan but still need permits for many other items. This would include for streets, other utilities, drainage and infrastructure. Because Vermilion Landing could eventually account for the majority of the potential new housing, its buildout would likely occur in phases rather than all at once. Frontier Land Group Frontier Land Group presented plans to build homes on about 53 acres behind Hollyview and Idleview drives. The proposal would connect to Forestview Drive and include public streets, stormwater ponds and about 24 acres of open land. Residents raised concerns during the meeting about traffic, flooding and the condition of existing streets near the proposed development. Frontier representatives said they are looking at ways to help pay for improvements to streets in the area as part of the development. Several financing options could be considered, including a special tax arrangement. How it would work: future property tax revenue generated by increased property values in a development would help pay for public improvements, such as roads and other infrastructure. The commission required Frontier to complete a traffic study and address comments from the city engineer before the project can advance. Frontier founder Mark Holz said homes are expected to range from about 1,200 to 2,400 square feet with prices beginning in the $300,000 range. Douglas Street Douglas Street Development is seeking a zoning change for the property. Preliminary plans show detached homes with attached garages. The planning commission recommended city council approve the zoning change, but that recommendation does not authorize construction. If council approves the rezoning, then the developer would still have to return with more detailed plans covering streets, individual lots, sidewalks, utilities, drainage and other requirements. Representatives said homes could potentially be ready for sale by early 2028 if the zoning change and later development plans receive approval. The Douglas Street property previously drew attention during an earlier development proposal, but the current plan calls for detached single-family housing.